Flag of Åland

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The flag of Åland (Swedish: Ålands flagga; Finnish: Ahvenanmaan lippu) is a Nordic cross featuring a red cross fimbriated in yellow on a blue field, with the vertical arm shifted toward the hoist. In vexillological terms, it resembles the Swedish flag modified by the addition of a red cross symbolising Finland.[1]

UseCivil and state flag, civil and state ensign Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagSmall vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag
Proportion17:26
Adopted1954
DesignA red Nordic cross fimbriated in yellow on a blue field
Quick facts Use, Proportion ...
Åland
UseCivil and state flag, civil and state ensign Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagSmall vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag
Proportion17:26
Adopted1954
DesignA red Nordic cross fimbriated in yellow on a blue field
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The flag of Åland displayed alongside the flag of Finland.

The flag was officially adopted in 1954 and was first hoisted in Mariehamn on 3 April of that year.[2] Prior to autonomy, an unofficial horizontal blue–yellow–blue triband was in use until it was prohibited in 1935.[3] The last Sunday of April is observed in Åland as an official flag day dedicated to the regional flag.[1]

History

When Finland gained independence from Russia in 1917, many Ålanders feared the loss of their Swedish cultural identity and language. This concern led to a movement advocating reunification with Sweden. The resulting dispute was referred to the League of Nations, which decided in favour of Ålander autonomy under Finnish sovereignty.

During the early 1920s, Åland unofficially used a blue and yellow tricolour flag, which was banned by the Finnish government in 1935. In 1952, legislation granted Åland the right to adopt its own flag. An initial proposal resembling the Swedish flag with a blue cross was rejected by the President, Juho Kusti Paasikivi. The final design adopted a red cross within the Nordic cross to represent Finland.[4]

Colours

The official colours of the Åland flag are defined in the Landskapsförordning (2004:15) om riktlinjer för Ålands flaggas färger. The regulation specifies the colours using the Natural Color System (NCS), with a tolerance of ±5 NCS units for hue and chromaticity. Pantone and CMYK values are provided as approximate equivalents.[5]

More information Colour model, Blue ...
Colour model Blue Yellow Red
NCS 3065-R90B 0580-Y10R 1085-Y90R
Pantone 2945C / 300U 116C / 109U 186C / 185U
CMYK 100-54-2-0 0-16-100-0 6-100-100-0
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Gallery

  • Unofficial tricolour used from the early 1920s until 1935
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flagSmall vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Unofficial tricolour used from the early 1920s until 1935
  • Original proposed flag design
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Original proposed flag design
  • Matts Dreijer's 1939 proposal
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Matts Dreijer's 1939 proposal
  • The "Pestflaggan"
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag The "Pestflaggan"
  • Matts Dreijer's 1946 proposal
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Matts Dreijer's 1946 proposal
  • Debate proposal 1
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Debate proposal 1
  • Debate proposal 2
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Debate proposal 2
  • Debate proposal 3
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag Debate proposal 3
  • "Finnish" flag proposal
    Small vexillological symbol or pictogram in black and white showing the different uses of the flag "Finnish" flag proposal

See also

References

External links

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